23 When the dead are at rest,put their memory to rest,and be comforted for themwhen their spirit has left.
24 The scribe’s wisdom dependson the opportunity for leisure,and whoever lacks busynesswill become wise.
25 How will people become wisewhen they take hold of a plowor pride themselvesin how well they handle an ox prod,when they drive cattleand are absorbed with their work,and their conversation is about bulls?
26 Their hearts are given overto plowing furrows,and they lose sleepbecause they’re concernedabout supplying heifers with food.
27 So it is also with every craftspersonand master artisanwho carries over the day’s workinto the night,who carves figures on sealsand works diligentlyto make diverse ornamentations.They will devote themselvesto producing a lifelike painting,and they lose sleepin order to finish their work.
28 So it is with smiths who sit near an anviland who closely examine works of iron.The blast of the firewill melt their flesh,and they will strugglewith the heat of the furnace.The sound of the hammerwill strike their ears again and again,and their eyes are focusedon the pattern of the object.They will devote themselvesto finishing the work,and they lose sleepin order to complete its decoration.
29 So it is with potters sitting at their work,turning the wheel at their feet.They lie down always feeling anxietyabout their work,and every product of theirs is valued.